The defeat suffered on September 13 at the hands of Terence Crawford has left its mark on Saul “Canelo” Alvarez, who will need to undergo elbow surgery before resuming his boxing career. This setback will force the Mexican star to revise his plans, delaying his return to the ring beyond initial expectations.
Canelo still has two fights remaining under his Riyadh Season contract. The first two bouts of the four-fight deal are now behind him: a lackluster points win over a passive William Scull, and the aforementioned loss to Crawford. We’re now halfway through the agreement.
Originally, Alvarez was expected to return to the ring in February 2025, but the upcoming surgery makes that timeline impossible. According to early reports, Canelo will need 12 to 15 weeks after the procedure before he can resume full training.
His comeback is therefore unlikely to take place before mid-2026. This further reduces the chances of a rematch with Crawford, who will most likely turn his attention elsewhere. One of the most intriguing possibilities for the American superstar is to attempt to capture a world title at middleweight, a crown that has so far eluded his impressive collection.